The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has shut down Africa Independent Television, AIT, and Raypower, owned by DAAR Communications Plc.
This, the NBC did by suspending the licence of the broadcasting organisation on Thursday.
However, as at press time, our check revealed that the stations are still operating.
According to the Director-General of NBC, Modibbo Kawu, who addressed a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the licence was suspended following the failure of the organisation to obey broadcasting rules.
He said the action became necessary after the organisation refused to heed warnings that had been issued at different times.
“Today the 6th of June, 2019, AIT/Rapower embarked on use of inflammatory, divisive, inciting broadcasts, and media propaganda against the government and, the NBC for performing its statutory functions of regulating the broadcast industry in Nigeria.
“Consequently, after several meetings with management of Daar Communications Plc and many letters of warning, the NBC, today 6th June, 2019 took a decision to suspend the licence of Daar Communications Plc for failure to abide by the Commission’s directives, the provisions of the NBC Act Cap N11. The SHUT DOWN order is until further notice.”
Kawu stated further: “In one of our meetings, held on 2nd June, 2017, the Commission expressed its disappointment with the way and manner Hate Speech, divisive and inciting comments are applied in discussion of national issues in breach of the provisions of the NBC Act and Broadcast Code.
“Again, on 15th August, 2017, it became imperative to invite the company for yet another meeting on almost same issues. Furthermore, while addressing another meeting on 7th February, 2018 we highlighted issues of concern to the Commission which indicated that the company had been breaching the provisions of Sections 3.1.2 and 3.1.3 of the broadcast Code. The company’s delegates in their response promised to abate the breaches and comply with the law.
“However, on October 18, 2018, the Commission was disturbed with the manner in which social media issues became part of the mainstream media unedited on AIT/Raypower, and was constrained to issue a generic letter to all broadcast stations on.”
Earlier in the day, the founder of DAAR Communication, Raymond Dokpesi, during a press conference, accused the Presidency of attacking his organisation in different ways.
Speaking at the press conference held at the headquarters of the company in Abuja, Dokpesi said the attacks included imposition of fines unduly by the NBC and the demolition of part of its property.
His words: “I believe very strongly that under the leadership of the current director-general of the NBC (Is’haq Kawu), press freedom has been greatly eroded.
“If this was not protected by the president, is it possible that his body language is being interpreted?
“I have it on strict authority and very assured information that the highest echelons of government, the presidency, queried and challenged the NBC that they were not doing their jobs.
“How on earth could they be hearing and seeing on AIT what they termed hate speech? Any criticism of this government is hate speech. The NBC is acting under the authority of the president and Commander-in-Chief.”
